Lionel Messi tells Eric Abidal to "give names" when criticising

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal to "give names" when criticising the work ethic of players at the Camp Nou.

The Argentine's former teammate said certain players had not been giving their all under former coach Ernesto Valverde.

In response, Messi told Sport: "Those in charge of sporting direction should also face up to their responsibilities and above all take charge of their own decisions.

"Lastly, I think that when you talk about players, you should give names because otherwise you are tainting everyone's name and feeding rumours that spread and are not true."

Valverde was sacked from his role as Barcelona head coach last month and has been replaced with former Real Betis boss Quique Setien.

The Blaugrana were top of La Liga when the former Athletic Bilbao coach was dismissed and have since slipped to second, behind Real Madrid.